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CLEAR CREEK
Panning
and sluicing are being allowed off
of North Washington Street.
No motorized equipment is allowed
in this area, but it is good for an
afternoon of fun. Pan or sluice the
black sand bands in the top 12 to 15
inches in the large sand bars for
some very fine, yellow gold.
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Prospecting in
Wheatridge continues to be an on/off
situation depending on who you talk
to, but the complete restriction
doesn't seem to be in force as long
as you are using hand equipment.
Jefferson County Open Space is
allowing panning and motorized
equipment on highway 6 from tunnel 1
to the traffic light at highway 119.
Restrictions are to the river BED.
NO HIGHBANKING IN THE BANKS. There
are active claims within the
stretch, so be SURE you know where
you are. PAY ATTENTION to the
parking signs. The Police patrol
the area constantly and will
vigorously ticket you for
violations.
North
Clear Creek is an open area in Gilpin County. Watch for the private
property and active or
inactive claims. Obey the
signs in the area, and don't
go into an area you are
unsure of. |
Make sure you STAY OUT of
Boulder County unless you
are on open public
FEDERAL
LAND, as even carrying a
pan can get your pan confiscated.
Their new ordinance does not allow
for any type of prospecting. ALL
PROSPECTING OR MINING OPERATIONS
THAT ARE NOT ON
FEDERAL LAND ARE FORBIDDEN IN BOULDER COUNTY. NOT EVEN PANNING IS ALLOWED. YOU
RISK LOSING YOUR EQUIPMENT, ARREST,
AND FINES IF YOU TRY IT. IF YOU
PROSPECT IN
BOULDER COUNTY MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON FEDERAL LAND THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND NOT
SOMEONE'S ACTIVE CLAIM. I have
not heard if these restrictions
pertain to private property or to
Patented claims, but if you have a
simple mining claim, it could very
well apply. Check with the
county if you are in doubt so you
are on top of their regulations.
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Idaho
Springs does still allow panning in
the river as long as you are not on
private property or areas already
claimed. Motorized equipment may be
allowed if you talk to the locals to
see what the City and County are
doing right now. Hooked on Gold has
not heard what is being allowed in
Idaho Springs for this season. We
will post that here when we do.
Visit the Argo Mill and the Phoenix
Mine while you are in town for a
good look at what mining was like in
the Old Days. The Argo Is a great
tour and the Phoenix, just west of town,
is what hard rock mining is about,
both with panning available. |
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The Phoenix was charging $10.00 a person for their
tour the last time we were there.
Not sure about the Argo, though.
Above
Idaho Springs the same rules and
regulations apply as to private
property and active claims. You
begin to get into the claims of the
Henderson Mine between Idaho Springs
and Georgetown, so do your
research if you want to prospect
this area. Up Fall River Road you will find the area
under construction with housing. We
have not been up there in the last
few years, so we aren't sure how
much of that is going on, but we do
know people with property in the
area. Creek access is limited.
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